Increased osteoblast adhesion on nanograined hydroxyapatite and tricalcium phosphate containing calcium titanate

Depending on the coating method utilized and subsequent heat treatments (such as through the use of plasma-spray deposition), inter-diffusion of atomic species across titanium (Ti) and hydroxyapatite (HA) coatings may result. These events may lead to structural and compositional changes that consequently cause unanticipated HA phase transformations which may clearly influence the performance of an orthopedic implant. Thus, the objective of the present in vitro study was to compare the cytocompatibility properties of chemistries that may form at the Ti:HA interface, specifically HA, tricalcium phosphate (TCP), HA doped with Ti, and those containing calcium titanate (CaTiO₃). In doing so, results of this study showed that osteoblast (bone-forming cells) adhesion increased with greater CaTiO₃ substitutions in either HA or TCP. Specifically, osteoblast adhesion on HA and TCP composites with CaTiO ₃ was almost 4.5 times higher than that over pure HA. Material characterization studies revealed that enhanced osteoblast adhesion on these compacts may be due to increasing shrinkage in the unit lattice parameters and decreasing grain size. Although all CaTiO₃ composites exhibited excellent osteoblast adhesion results, Ca₉HPO₄(PO ₄)₅ OH phase transformation into TCP/CaTiO₃ increased osteoblast adhesion the most; because of these reasons, these materials should be further studied for orthopedic applications.